Monster cookies. Ghost cookies. Pumpkin cookies, plus cake pops and white chocolate pretzels dressed up for Halloween.
One family bakery in Ohio treats October like its own personal holiday.
The spooky stuff is only one chapter, though. This shop has been baking since 1982, and it carries the name of the founders’ first daughter. I love that a bakery can feel that personal after more than four decades.
The cases stay full the rest of the year too. Glazed croissants have earned a loyal following, and gluten-free treats sit right alongside the classics. Tiered wedding cakes and custom party orders round out the lineup.
I believe the best bakeries feel like a neighborhood tradition. This one checks that box and then frosts it. I’d love to stop by this cozy family bakery in October and pick out a few adorable Halloween treats to enjoy.
1. Halloween Cookies Get Faces, Fangs, And A Whole Lot Of Personality
Monsters, ghosts, and pumpkins all show up in frosting form at Ashley’s Pastry Shop each fall. The Dayton bakery turns October into a full-blown sugar costume party.
Themed cookies are the stars of the season. Each one gets decorated with Halloween in mind, so your snack basically arrives wearing a costume.
Cake pops join the lineup too. They’re bite-sized, easy to share, and far less messy than wrestling a whole slice of cake at a party.
White chocolate-covered pretzels also get a spooky makeover. Salty, sweet, and dressed for the occasion, they make a smart pick for anyone who likes a little crunch.
Here’s a practical tip for planning. Halloween treats are seasonal, so it pays to stop in early before your favorite designs fly off like startled bats.
These goodies work well for classroom treats, office break rooms, or a simple Friday night movie. A box of ghost cookies on the counter can make any ordinary evening feel festive.
Honestly, who could resist a pumpkin that tastes like dessert? Carving the real ones is fun, but eating the cookie version takes way less cleanup.
2. Planning A Halloween Party? Let The Bakers Handle The Scary Part
Party planning can get spooky fast, and not in the fun way. Ashley’s Pastry Shop takes some of that stress off your plate with custom Halloween orders.
Need cakes for a costume party? The bakery creates Halloween-themed cakes, and it welcomes custom orders for seasonal gatherings big and small.
This is where your ideas get to shine. The shop even offers customization that can match party invitations, so the dessert table feels like part of the plan.
Got a color scheme in mind? Share it. A theme like friendly ghosts or a pumpkin patch gives the decorators something fun to build around.
Timing matters with custom work. Call ahead well before your party date, since October is a busy month for anyone who bakes pumpkins out of sugar.
Remember the payment setup, too. The shop takes cash, check, Venmo, or PayPal, and it doesn’t accept credit cards.
Picture the relief of crossing dessert off your to-do list. You can focus on the fog machine, the playlist, and whether your cat will tolerate that tiny witch hat. That’s a better use of your energy anyway.
3. A Family Story Baked Right Into The Name
Ashley is a real person, and that’s the sweetest part of the whole story. Greg and Theresa Hammons opened Ashley’s Pastry Shop in 1982 and named it after their first daughter.
That small detail says a lot. This isn’t a chain with a made-up mascot, it’s a family business with roots in the Dayton area.
Fast forward through decades of frosting and flour. The shop celebrated its 40th anniversary in the summer of 2022, then marked 42 years in June 2024.
Staying open that long takes more than good recipes. It takes steady work, a strong team, and a community that keeps coming back for birthdays and holidays.
The bakery has also been voted Best of Dayton many times. That includes 10 consecutive years and wins in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
I like knowing a dessert has a story behind it. When you grab a cookie here, you’re supporting a family that has been baking for Ohio neighbors for more than 40 years.
That makes even a simple treat feel a little more meaningful. It’s hard to put a price on that kind of history.
4. Glazed Croissants Might Steal The Spotlight From The Ghosts
Flaky layers meet a shiny glaze, and suddenly breakfast feels like a reward. The glazed croissant is one of the most popular items at Ashley’s Pastry Shop.
Think of it as a croissant that decided to dress up for the day. It keeps the buttery shape you know, then adds a sweet coating on top.
Early birds have the advantage here. The shop opens at 7 AM Tuesday through Saturday, which makes it an easy morning stop before work or errands.
Croissants aren’t the only breakfast option, either. French pastries and fruit pastries also fill the morning lineup, giving you plenty of choices beside your coffee.
A box of glazed croissants could be a smart move for a team meeting. Few things improve a Thursday morning like a pastry you didn’t have to bake yourself.
Want a little tip? Grab one for now and one for later, because deciding to share is much easier when you’ve secured your own first.
Spooky cookies may bring you through the door in October. These croissants might be the reason you return in March, July, and every month in between.
5. Your Sweet Tooth Will Need A Map For These Bakery Cases
Donuts, danishes, muffins, and pies all compete for attention once you step up to the counter. The everyday selection at Ashley’s Pastry Shop is wide enough to make decisions genuinely difficult.
Cupcakes and cookies cover the grab-and-go crowd. Coffee cakes and muffins handle slow weekend mornings, while pies make dessert after dinner feel official.
Bread lovers get some attention too. The bakery offers fresh breads and dinner rolls, which can quietly upgrade a holiday meal or a regular weeknight soup night.
Here’s a helpful strategy for first visits. Pick one breakfast item, one dessert, and one wild card you’ve never tried before.
That way, you sample the range without needing a forklift to carry your order. You also leave with a short list of favorites for next time.
The shop serves more than walk-in customers, too. Restaurants, coffee shops, hospitals, and country clubs around the Miami Valley also rely on its baked goods.
So that muffin at a local cafe might have a familiar origin. It’s fun to realize one small bakery quietly feeds so much of the Dayton area.
6. Wedding Cakes And Tortes That Deserve Their Own Grand Entrance
Tiered wedding cakes take serious skill, and this family shop builds them. Ashley’s Pastry Shop also makes classic round cakes and sheet cakes for every kind of celebration.
Then come the tortes. These are multi-layered cakes filled with buttercreams, mousse, or fruit, so each slice shows off a little striped surprise.
Choosing a filling is half the fun. Buttercream feels classic, mousse feels fancy, and fruit adds a fresh touch that balances all that sweetness.
Sheet cakes are the practical heroes of party season. Graduations, office gatherings, and big family birthdays all go smoother when everyone gets a slice.
Planning a wedding? Reach out early to talk about size, flavors, and design ideas, since custom cakes need time and careful work.
Bring photos, colors, or even your invitation for inspiration. The bakery can customize cakes for special occasions, including designs that match party invitations.
A cake becomes part of the memories at any big event. People may forget the napkin color, but they’ll remember that gorgeous layered dessert sitting front and center. That’s a pretty good legacy for flour and sugar.
7. Gluten-Free Fans Finally Get A Seat At The Dessert Table
Nobody should have to watch everyone else enjoy cake. Ashley’s Pastry Shop offers gluten-free baked goods, so more people can join in the fun.
Gluten-free carrot cake is one of the options. It brings that classic spiced dessert vibe to anyone avoiding gluten, without making them settle for a sad fruit cup.
This matters a lot at parties. When one guest needs gluten-free treats, having a bakery that already makes them saves the host a big headache.
A quick tip for anyone with allergies or strict needs. Ask the staff about current gluten-free choices and how items are prepared before ordering.
That conversation helps you pick what works best for your situation. It’s always smart to double-check, especially for a special event or a guest with serious sensitivities.
Planning Halloween treats for a mixed crowd? Ask whether a gluten-free option can join the spooky lineup, so every little monster gets dessert.
I can’t imagine a nicer gesture than including everyone at the table. Good bakeries think about who might be left out, and this one clearly does.
8. Finding The Shop Is Easier Than Choosing A Cookie
Oakwood is the neighborhood, and Park Avenue is the street to remember. Ashley’s Pastry Shop sits at 21 Park Ave, Dayton, OH 45419.
The bakery has become an established part of the Oakwood community. It also serves the greater Dayton area, including University of Dayton students hunting for study snacks.
Hours are simple once you learn them. The shop opens at 7 AM Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 5 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on Saturdays.
Sundays and Mondays are off days. Plan around that, or you’ll end up staring at a locked door with a serious croissant craving.
Bring the right payment, too. Cash, check, Venmo, and PayPal all work, but credit cards don’t, so it’s wise to prepare before you leave home.
Need treats delivered? Local delivery or shipping is available for some menu items upon request, which helps when you can’t swing by in person.
Visiting Ohio for a weekend? This stop fits nicely into a Dayton day trip, especially if your idea of sightseeing involves a pastry box riding shotgun.
9. Bakery Bucks Might Be The Sweetest Gift In Town
Gift cards are nice, but Bakery Bucks sound way more fun. Ashley’s Pastry Shop offers them as treats you can hand out to friends, coworkers, or family.
They make an easy present for almost anyone. Teachers, coaches, neighbors, and that coworker who always fixes the printer would all appreciate a sweet thank-you.
Bakery Bucks also solve a classic gift problem. You don’t have to guess someone’s favorite flavor, because they get to pick their own treat.
Think about Halloween season, too. A few Bakery Bucks could become a clever prize for a costume contest or a pumpkin carving challenge at work.
Here’s another idea for families. Tuck them into a birthday card, then let the birthday kid choose a cupcake, cookie, or donut for a special trip.
Small gestures like this help support a local business. Every visit keeps a family bakery going strong in its fifth decade of serving Ohio.
So when you need a gift that feels personal but takes little effort, this one checks the box. Who wouldn’t smile at a ticket to dessert?
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